Hysteria Project

France, - February 24th, 2009 – BRAND NEW IPHONE DEVELOPER BULKYPIX is proud to announce the imminent launch of its debut title on the App Store, Hysteria Project. The game is the first ever live action interactive series, which follows in the tradition of classic horror/survival movies such as Friday the 13th, The Blair Witch Project and Cloverfield – only this time, you’re the one being hunted.

“Lots of games have attempted to blend film with gameplay before, but we never really felt as though it’d been fully achieved,” says Bulkypix CEO Vincent Dondaine. “With Hysteria Project, we wanted to create an experience that was as immersive and gripping as any good horror movie, but allowed people to make decisions that quite literally affected the character’s life. What’s great about the horror genre is the powerful emotional effect it has on the audience – it forces the viewer to take part in the onscreen events, and we’re simply taking that concept to the next level.”

Hysteria Project blurs the distinction between audience and player. Viewed from a first person perspective, users awaken in an old cabin, bound and confused. Escaping into the woods, they find themselves stalked by a mysterious and shadowy axe-wielding figure, and it takes a careful eye for detail and fast reactions to stay one step ahead of the mute killer.

The beautifully cinematic experience is interspersed with decisions the user must make to survive. Do they run for their lives, or try to find a hiding place in the terrifying woodland amidst the killer’s booby traps? But these decisions go beyond a choice between turning left or turning right – the hunted player must use the iPhone’s unique touchscreen capabilities to search the surroundings for weapons, to avoid traps and to defend themselves, all while attempting to solve the mystery of the strange symbol burned into their forearm that guides them through the chilling environment.

“In order to reach the largest possible audience and ensure we don’t exclude any gamers intrigued by the notion of a live action interactive series, we structured Hysteria Project carefully to make sure it packed in the scares, but leaves gore to the imagination,” continues Dondaine. “But this wasn’t at all restrictive, as the audience’s imagination is a horror story’s best weapon when properly manipulated. With an intricate and haunting audio accompaniment, we’ve been able to craft a wonderfully atmospheric experience that will provide all the tension and thrills of a great horror movie, with the action of an engaging adventure game that’s accessible to everyone.”

The pilot episode represents the introduction of the first ever interactive horror series. Future episodes will uncover the terrifying circumstances established in this groundbreaking inaugural episode, which will give both gamers and film fans a whole new entertainment medium packed with the superior horror action and storytelling today’s discerning, yet jaded, audiences demand.

A completely unique and powerful experience, Hysteria Project uses the multimedia and interactive strengths of the iPhone platform like no other game or movie. The pilot episode of Hysteria Project contains 30 – 40 minutes of playable footage for the low price of $1.99, and will be available from the App Store imminently.

Ends.

Hysteria Project in the media:

“The cinematography immediately grabs you by the eyeballs and refuses to let go. This is a horror/survival game that doesn't rely on cheap scares, gore or ridiculously powerful antagonists. A glimpse of the axe wielding psycho out of the corner of your eye before you run for it is more than enough to set the mood.” – PocketGamer.co.uk

“The new first-person survival horror game from French developer Bulkypix… scared the crap out of us! Bulkypix knows how to produce an effective horror atmosphere, that is for sure.” – SlideToPlay.com

Teaser trailer 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYrq_V88Oc8

Teaser trailer 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQ-Yg790gKw

Gameplay footage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owjPeD4kkRs

About BULKYPIX

Bulkypix is a new development studio built from a wealth of experienced staff. Formally employed by Vivendi Games Mobile, the Bulkypix team is responsible for the design and development of such hit iPhone games as Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 3D and Virtual Villagers. The assembled Bulkypix team has worked collectively on more than 70 console and mobile games, and now brings its wealth of experience to the iPhone. Future projects will branch out into other handheld platforms, where Bulkypix will continue its trend of innovation, quality and excellence in game design.

Vincent Dondaine

CEO – Sales and Marketing Director

vincent.dondaine@bulkypix.com

Web : www.bulkypix.com

Tel : +33 (1) 34 65 93 34

Mobile : +33 (6) 76 78 52 49